The recent suspension of the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has sparked significant concern among citizens and energy experts alike. This agreement, which facilitated the development of shared and cross-border gas fields, was a cornerstone of TT’s energy strategy and economic stability. However, the Prime Minister’s dismissive statement that ‘Trinidad and Tobago doesn’t need Venezuelan gas and never did’ has raised eyebrows and deepened anxieties about the nation’s energy future. TT’s gas production has been in decline since 2011, with current output averaging 2.6 billion standard cubic feet (scf) per day—far below the four billion scf needed to meet industrial and export demands. Projects like Mento, Matapal, and Cypre have provided some relief, but they are insufficient to bridge the gap. Cross-border fields such as Manatee, Dragon, and Manakin-Cocuina were expected to restore production levels by 2028, but their suspension now leaves TT without a viable ‘Plan B.’ The economic implications are dire: without these resources, downstream industries will suffer, government revenues will shrink, and foreign reserves will dwindle. Companies like Nutrien have already halted operations due to gas shortages, and others may follow. While diversification into non-energy sectors is essential, it cannot replace the foreign exchange earnings, tax revenue, and employment that the energy sector provides. The Prime Minister’s cavalier attitude toward this crisis, coupled with deteriorating diplomatic relations with Venezuela, threatens to undo decades of careful diplomacy and economic planning. TT’s short-, medium-, and long-term prosperity remains deeply tied to energy, and ignoring this reality could have catastrophic consequences for the nation’s economy and its people.
博客
-
Playwright Jeandon Bartholomew debuts play at Monthly Readers Theatre Series
Playwrights Workshop Trinbago (PWT) is set to host its Monthly Readers Theatre Series (MRTS) on November 5, featuring a cold reading of *Trigger Warning: Someone Dies*, a debut play by Jeandon Bartholomew. The event will take place at 7 pm at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, located at 6 Newbold Street, St Clair. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate in the post-reading discussion to provide valuable feedback for the playwright.
*Trigger Warning: Someone Dies* follows the story of Adewale and Adebimpe, two engaged detectives who, on their way to a Sunday dinner, are tasked with unraveling the mystery behind their aunt’s sudden death. Set against the backdrop of Port of Spain’s vibrant yet shadowy streets, the play explores themes of family, duty, and love as the couple navigates a web of secrets and suspects.
Jeandon Bartholomew, the playwright, is a multifaceted creative force with a master’s degree in human and social psychology. Beyond his writing, Bartholomew is an adult literacy teacher, a tenor in the Marionettes Chorale, and a former restaurant manager. With extensive experience in HR, customer service, and addiction therapy, he brings a unique perspective to his work. As secretary of the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT), Bartholomew is a passionate advocate for the arts and community development.
The MRTS serves as a critical platform for emerging playwrights, offering them an opportunity to refine their scripts through live readings and audience feedback. PWT invites actors, directors, producers, and the general public to attend and engage in the creative process. Attendees may even be called upon to participate as readers, making the event an interactive and collaborative experience.
For more information about PWT, script submissions, or upcoming events, contact playwrightsworkshoptt@gmail.com, call or WhatsApp 351-6293, or visit their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram: @playwrightsworkshoptt.
-
Rambaran, Cooper score centuries in Red Force practice match
In a thrilling warm-up match ahead of the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup, the TT Red Force A team emerged victorious against their counterparts, TT Red Force B, thanks to stellar centuries by Shatrughan Rambaran and Cephas Cooper. The match, held at the iconic Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, Trinidad, showcased exceptional batting performances and competitive bowling displays.
-
Prisons spank Phoenix, move to TTPFL summit
Prisons FC surged to the top of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings with a commanding 4-0 triumph over 1976 FC Phoenix at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on November 2. The match, initially a stalemate in the first half, saw Prisons FC unleash their full potential in the second half, securing a decisive victory. The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when Kevon Williams converted a penalty, followed by Kevin Seales’ header in the 68th minute. Jeremiah Vidale added a third in the 71st minute, and substitute Christon Phillip sealed the win with a late goal in stoppage time. Prisons FC now shares the top spot with Miscellaneous Police, both with six points and a +5 goal difference, but Prisons leads due to a higher total of goals scored. In the second game of the double-header, Point Fortin Civic clinched their first win of the season, defeating Terminix La Horquetta Rangers 2-1. Despite ending the game with ten men after goalkeeper Terrence Lewis was sent off, Civic secured the victory, moving to fifth place in the 12-team league.
-
Trinidad and Tobago sport stars advise NGBs at workshop
The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) and the Sports Company of TT (SporTT) recently convened a landmark workshop aimed at propelling sports development in Trinidad and Tobago. Held on November 1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, the event brought together representatives from 53 National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs) to engage in direct dialogue about their challenges and chart a forward path for the sector. Key themes included financial literacy, accountability, and compliance with organizational reporting standards. The workshop also featured newly-appointed sports ambassadors Keshorn Walcott, Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, and Kieron Pollard, who shared their experiences as elite athletes representing TT and the West Indies globally. Walcott, a javelin gold medalist at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, and the trio of Pooran, Pollard, and Bravo, who led the Trinbago Knight Riders to victory in the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, highlighted the importance of perseverance and teamwork. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts, SporTT Chairman Kester Lendore, and other officials emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering a robust sports ecosystem. Attendees included prominent NGBs such as the TT Cycling Federation, the National Association of Athletics Administrations, and the TT Cricket Board, underscoring the event’s significance for the nation’s sporting future.
-
80-year-old Trinidadian runs 40th New York City Marathon
Dr. Everold Hosein, an 80-year-old Trinidadian-born scholar and distinguished faculty member at the City University of New York School of Public Health (CUNY-SPH), has once again defied expectations by completing his 40th consecutive New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025. This remarkable achievement comes despite a significant health challenge: Dr. Hosein suffered a heart attack shortly after participating in the 2016 NYC Marathon. Following the incident, he underwent a stent implantation and pacemaker fitting, yet he returned to the marathon circuit a year later, albeit with a slower finish.
In a statement released by CUNY-SPH, Dr. Hosein emphasized the importance of physical activity for heart attack survivors and the general population alike. ‘For heart attack survivors, my advice is to keep exercising. It is good for you. Consult with your doctor. You don’t have to run marathons, but you should be physically active every day,’ he said. He also highlighted the broader benefits of daily activity, noting that even 30 minutes of walking per day can significantly improve mental health, prevent diabetes, and enhance cardiovascular health. ‘Just 30 minutes per day, in any combination, can make a difference,’ he added.
Dr. Hosein’s perseverance and advocacy for heart health have made him a symbol of resilience and determination. His story continues to inspire individuals worldwide, proving that age and health challenges are no barriers to achieving extraordinary feats.
-
Caribbean Cup rivals look to restore joy after Hurricane Melissa
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28, the nation is grappling with widespread devastation. The death toll has risen to 32, and the impact has been felt deeply across the island, including by the Mount Pleasant Football Academy. The club’s sporting director, Paul Christie, revealed that their training facility and Drax Hall Sports Complex suffered significant structural damage due to fallen trees and light poles. Despite these challenges, the team is preparing for the second leg of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinal against Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force, rescheduled to November 5 after the original date was postponed due to the hurricane. Mount Pleasant holds a commanding 5-1 lead from the first leg, but Christie emphasized that the upcoming match now carries a deeper significance. ‘This game is about showing the resilience of our people,’ he said, highlighting the need for normalcy amidst the crisis. The club has launched a donation drive to aid affected communities, particularly in St Ann and St Elizabeth, and has encouraged fans to contribute to relief efforts. Meanwhile, Defence Force’s interim coach, Devorn Jorsling, sees the match as an opportunity to unite the island through football. Despite their slow start in the TTPFL season and a significant deficit in the tie, Jorsling remains optimistic, stating, ‘Nothing is impossible in football.’ The Caribbean Cup’s top three teams will qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, adding further stakes to the encounter.
-
PM to address special THA sitting on November 4
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is set to address Tobago’s longstanding quest for autonomy and other critical issues during a special sitting of the Assembly Legislature in Scarborough on November 4. This marks her first official address to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) since her UNC-led coalition secured victory in the April 28 general election, winning 26 seats against the PNM’s 13 and the Tobago People’s Party’s two. Accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, including Attorney General John Jeremie and Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, the Prime Minister’s visit underscores her administration’s commitment to national outreach and inter-island collaboration. The visit aims to strengthen governance, enhance service delivery, and accelerate shared development priorities to foster inclusive growth. Persad-Bissessar’s itinerary includes a cultural event at Signal Hill Secondary School, a courtesy call on THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, and an address at the Assembly Legislature. Her speech is expected to highlight efforts to expand economic opportunities, improve public administration, and promote national unity. The visit concludes with a reception hosted by the Chief Secretary, bringing together Tobago’s business, cultural, and civic leaders. However, Minority Leader Kelvon Morris has criticized the visit, accusing the Prime Minister of making “empty promises” and planning to expose what he calls the Augustine administration’s failures in a private motion on November 6. Morris’s motion will focus on accountability, urging a Tobago-first approach to governance.
-
Relative: Rio Claro man killed over obeah debt
The murder of Sylvan ‘Lawah’ Boodan, a 58-year-old businessman from Jeffers Crossing, Tabaquite Road, has left the community of Rio Claro in shock. Boodan was fatally shot on the morning of November 3 at R. Baldeosingh Services Ltd (RBSL), a construction company along San Pedro Road, Poole Village. While police investigators have yet to determine a motive, relatives suspect the killing may be linked to an unresolved obeah debt.
Boodan, who owned Gloria Bar on the ground floor of his residence, also worked as a straightener and painter at RBSL. Reports indicate that on the day of the incident, he was called out by name by a man near his car. After a brief exchange, a single gunshot was heard, and the gunman fled the scene. Boodan collapsed and died in front of his car.
A relative revealed that the family believes the murder could be connected to a dispute involving unpaid services to an ‘obeah man’ earlier this year. The dispute reportedly began in July when the alleged spiritual advisor claimed Boodan owed money for services performed against a woman. The woman allegedly reported an ‘obeah death threat’ to the police in August but did not receive a receipt for her complaint.
Boodan lived on the same compound with his ex-wife, Gloria, and other relatives. The couple, who were divorced, had no children together. Their divorce settlement was finalized in court on September 26. Relatives described Boodan as a hardworking and respected man with no known enemies in the area.
A villager who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting reported seeing a masked man running along San Pedro Road with what appeared to be a gun. The villager expressed disappointment that police did not immediately pursue the suspect. Officers later conducted a search but failed to locate the killer.
Residents of San Pedro expressed disbelief over the incident, stating that such violence is uncommon in their community. Investigations by the Rio Claro police station, Eastern Division units, and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region II) are ongoing.
-
Fathers’ Association wants mandatory DNA tests: One-third of paternity tests negative
A recent survey conducted by the Fathers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TFATT) has unveiled startling statistics regarding paternity tests, prompting renewed calls for mandatory DNA testing before the issuance of child maintenance orders. The findings, disclosed at a media conference held on November 3 at Computer Tech and Services in Couva, revealed that nearly one-third of paternity tests conducted over the past five years at a judiciary-approved laboratory showed that the alleged father was not biologically related to the child.